In the second quarter of 2024, US developers added 11GW of new utility-scale clean power capacity, reflecting a 91% increase compared to Q2 2023.
The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released its Clean Power Quarterly Market Report for Q2 2024, noting “extraordinary growth and milestones” within the US clean energy sector.
This quarter’s activity brought total installations for the year to 19GW, more than double the five-year average for first-half installations. The report suggests that with the second half of the year typically seeing higher clean power additions, the “stage is set for a second consecutive record-breaking year in 2024.”
Texas has become the leading state for utility-scale solar capacity, surpassing California for the first time. The state added 1,656MW this quarter, bringing its total operating solar capacity to 21,932MW.
The US energy storage sector reached a milestone of over 20GW in total operational capacity, with 2.9GW added this quarter, bringing the total to 21.6GW.
Annual growth in the clean power pipeline increased by 13% compared to the previous year, with additional offshore wind development expected shortly.
“Clean energy is answering the call to unleash more American energy, with another record quarter of deployment,” said ACP CEO Jason Grumet. “While all clean energy technologies are expanding their market share, energy storage is scaling at a stunning speed and has surpassed 20GW of operating capacity.”
Grumet also noted, “With rapidly growing demand and the need to make significant strides in decarbonising our economy, the stakes are high.
“Our recent progress is encouraging, but we are not moving fast enough. ACP is committed to working with all stakeholders and policymakers to accelerate progress toward a secure, reliable, and clean energy future.”
In mid-2024, 5.5GW more onshore wind projects were under construction compared to the same time in 2023, bringing the total to over 14GW. Additionally, Q2 2024 set a record for the most offshore wind capacity under construction, with over 4GW in progress.
